Chapter 20

My brother left the very next morning, not even saying goodbye before fleeing off Hardins land. I don't suppose the icy looks from Hardin, and his pack, helped much. I woke to an empty bed, and when I got downstairs I found my brother had vanished in the early hours of the morning.

That didn't exactly put me in the best of moods.

"What's there to do around here?" Jackson appears next to me, leaning over the back of the couch.

"How am I supposed to know?" I quiz.

"You live here?" Jackson states, looking at me with a screwed up face.

"I just about exist, don't make the mistake of assuming I have any more freedom than you." I mutter, feeling extremely sorry for myself right now.

The bite is still numb. Why is he still angry at me?

"Considering your lovely mother has kept me locked in her dungeons the past month, this isn't so bad." Jackson can only grin at me, like something about that is funny.

"You should go out, explore or whatever, I'm just not up for it today." I sigh, offering him a small smile as forced as it is.

I don't want to make him feel like he has to stay with me, to be honest I want to be alone right now.

As if understanding completely, Jackson nods.

"Alright, I'll be back later. Are you sure you don't want to come?" He offers, his arm wrapped over my shoulders.

Smiling, I nod.

"I'm sure, go and have fun. Maybe you'll see green eyes training." I tease.

"Where exactly do they train? Just so I can avoid the area..." Jackson couldn't finish his words with a straight face, never one to tell a lie.

I chuckle. "South, just below the mountains."

Jackson nods and squeezes my shoulders, before vanishing. Naturally, the empty room creeps up on me almost instantly. I find myself looking around, examining the furniture and model like home. Soon finding a mirror, I stand in front of it, staring at my reflection as if it's going to change.

Flicking my eyes to my shoulder, I reach up and gently run my index finger over the scar. No tingles, no warmth, barely anything, and he says I'm the frustrating one? He won't even talk to me unless I make conversation first, and even then his words are limited.

I could grovel if I wanted, but considering his anger is due to me standing up for myself, I'm not about to.  Hardin is just like everyone else, except he pretends that he wants me, he acts like he's fine with me becoming more Alpha like.

He only enjoys you when your weak, just like everyone else. The voice of doubt in my head speaks up, and I couldn't help but believe the words.

If it's not true, why hasn't he touched me in weeks? Why does he push me away, and reject me the few times I've made a pass at him?

Instead of going to Hardin and asking him, I storm off to get changed and head to one of the training rooms. The moment I enter the sweaty area, the very few males in the room stop talking.

Immediately I wish I had worn my jacket. Feeling naked in only spandex shorts and a sports bra, I awkwardly cross my arms as I slowly head towards the running machine.

"Do you mind?" I ask hesitantly, motioning to the empty area. Do they even want me in here?

One of the men quickly speak up as the others go to respond.

"No, of course not...Alpha might not be very pleased though." The male says, awkwardly glancing at my exposed skin.

Feeling more open and vulnerable, I flash a slight smile.

"I didn't think anyone would be down here." I respond.

"Do you want my t-shirt?" The same male offers, noticing the way my arms crawl up and down my stomach as if to provide coverage.

"Please." I nod.

He tosses me the shirt hanging from the bench, I catch it with ease, quickly slipping it on and covering up. The fact that it seems of another male irritates me, but I'm grateful for the coverage.

"Thanks." I sigh, stepping on the running machine.

"No problem." He says. Just like that the room returns to normal, a little stiff still, but maybe that's just me.

For a while I jog slowly, building up a slow sweat and warming my body completely. Eventually, I speed it up and close my eyes as I run, imagining I'm somewhere else. The woods perhaps, with the soil beneath my feet, the fresh air surrounding me.

I wonder if Hardin thinks about me when I'm not around?

I speed it up, taking it from 11MPH to 15MPH. My heart quickens and my thighs ache, but I didn't stop, not even when sweat begins to roll down my forehead and back. My thoughts become my will to keep going, every time I do much of picture Hardin in my head, I speed the machine up.

Faster, and faster. Until the machine begins to slow on its own for safety reasons. With a grunt of annoyance, I step off the treadmill and go for the punching bag.

*

Blood splats on the harsh cracked leather, my knuckles aching with every punch. The brief pain of every smack is welcomed, I indulge in it like it's heroin. Instead of flinching from the stinging of my bust knuckles, I bathe in my own strength.

I've never been this strong, it feels strange.

Breathing raggedly, I decide to take a small break, heading over to the fridge they keep down here. Given the mansion is huge, it would take forever just to go from here for a drink. Therefore, they have a ton of water kept nice and cold right here.

Cracking the lid off, I gulp the freezing contents eagerly, my dry throat glad for the substance.

"Why are you still down here?" Spinning quickly, I stare at Hardin in surprise. When did he come in?

"Am I not allowed?" I question, rolling my eyes at him.

"You've been down here six hours, and according to the chefs, you haven't eaten today." Hardin states with a sigh.

"Oh I see, you're keeping tabs on me now." I scoff, annoyed that he thinks he can just have me followed around.

"If you want to know what I'm up to, then I suggest you ask me yourself." I glare, choosing to brush past him, purposely barging him arm.

Hardin grips my forearm, forcing me to stop.

"What's that smell?" He speaks through gritted teeth, eyes burning bright red as he leans in as sniffs my shoulder.

Cringing, I try and push him away. "That's called sweat you idiot!" I snap, appalled.

Hardin growls menacingly, eyes no longer grey. "No, I smell another male."

I look at him like he's stupid, because he is. What is he talking about? Another male- T-shirt. I mentally sigh.

"It's not like that, I came in here assuming I'd be alone and I wasn't, some guy gave me his t-shirt." I explain, yanking myself out of his grip.

Crossing the room, I pick up the t-shirt and show it to him. The look of pure anger on his face makes me curious, amused almost.

"Give it me." He says, walking towards me.

Wanting to see his reaction, I quickly slide the t-shirt over my head. Hardins low growl tunnels dangerously, amusing me.

"What are you doing? Take it off." He orders, his teeth grinding together.

You're supposed to be his Alpha female, not his submissive Luna. Plus, I want to challenge him, I want to see how far I can push him.

"No." I firmly say.

Hardin stares at me like he doesn't understand for a second, his eyebrows shooting up slightly.

"No?" He quizzes.

"No." I confirm.

"Take it off." He warns darkly.

I merely smile up at him and walk towards the exit with absolutely no intention to do as he says. The last thing I hear as I exit the gym is his furious snarl, the beast inside of him roaring to life at my disobedience.

Trying not to laugh, I quickly sprint off, going anywhere except near Hardin right now. If he wants to find me, he'll have to follow the scent of the male I'm wearing. That'll piss him off more.

For almost a whole hour, I manage to dodge pack members and the Alpha. Hiding from room to room, knowing in my gut that he's looking for me. Eventually, I make the mistake of getting bored, and I head to the kitchen for food.

Just as I'm about to take a bite of banana, Hardins tall, gorgeous self comes stomping into the kitchen. My eyes snap to his searing red ones, my mouth hovering over the fruit.

"You and those fucking bananas!" He grits out, his hands balling into fists.

Definitely a little more than angry. I thought to myself, biting back a grin. What's the deal with him and bananas?

In a flash he snatches the banana from my hand and tosses it aside, his large arms caging me against the island. His presence is off, tense and absolutely furious, as if he's not fully in control right now. I'll admit, teasing him is fun but seeing him this angry is slightly frightening.

"I'm not someone you want to be teasing, Katalayha." Jaw clenched, as if he's holding back the urge to punch something, someone.

Slowly, I place my hands over his fists, noticing his knuckles are white with strain. I couldn't help but feel a little guilty.

"I'm not frightened." I say, my palms sliding up his forearms, all the way to his biceps.

"Take it off, or I'll tear it off."

Rolling my eyes slightly, I decide to not infuriate him any more and comply with his demand. The guys barely breathing right now he's that pissed at me.

"Ok." I grumble like a scolded child.

Hardin gives me a centimetre space to allow me to take it off, his generosity towards my personal space is astounding. I shimmy it up my body and pull it over my head, leaning back a little to do so.

The moment I remove the t-shirt, Hardin smacks of from my hand and gives me a scowl. I could see his nostrils flaring, deep in his gut the scent of another male on my skin absolutely drives him crazy. It's not just jealousy, it's the basic primal beast within him that demands his territory to be reclaimed.

"Do I smell that strong?" I ask softly, seeing Hardin's entire body vibrate slightly as he resists the urge to bleach me from head to toe.

Bleach won't work, but you get my drift.

My parents never allowed anyone close enough to leave scents on them, so I've never witnessed the rumours of mating. Clearly, some things are true. Which means, Hardin will want to bite me again, or he won't come near me until the scent of another is completely gone.

Which is worse? I wonder silently.

"I'll go shower." I murmur, awkwardly scooting sideways to free myself from his closeness.

Hardin gives no response, I doubt anything he has to say right now will be civil. I'm just glad he's got such a hold of his temper, even if it is just with me.

He was at his most furious, and he still didn't raise a finger to me in any way. I didn't want to think it, but I couldn't help myself. Why is everything suddenly about him? It's like every time I'm near him I can't help but assess him, like I'm finally deciding if I can actually let my guard down, perhaps even start to love him.

That's insane...right?

*

After a long ass shower, with a crap ton of scrubbing different soaps into my skin with burning hot water, I finally get out and get dressed. My entire body is a shade of red, my skin almost inflamed with irritation. Yet, I feel squeaky clean right now.

I head down stairs in search for the food that I didn't get the chance to eat earlier. The few pack members ignore me as I begin making food, my quick option quickly turning into an hour long wait. I would go to make a sandwhich, and choose to make piri-piri chicken with smashed sweet potatoes and broccoli.

No one talks to me as I cook, eventually the pack members leave the kitchen, allowing me to make the food in silence. While wolves usually becomes antsy having to wait for food when they're hungry, it doesn't with me. I'm so used to cooking all day and starving anyway, that I naturally don't even feel like it's for me to begin with.

When the foods ready I dish it onto two plates, grabbing all the cutlery I'll need and placing it all on a tray, before heading to Hardins office.

Balancing the tray on my hip with my left hand, I turn the handle with my other, pushing it open with my foot.

Voices immediately go silent inside. Crap, is he in the middle of a meeting? My heart quickly begins to race, my skin flushing with embarrassment as all eyes turn to me.

"You can come in, Katalayha, they were just leaving." Hardins voice rings with finality, instantly easing my slight panic.

With a awkward smile, I enter the room as the few men pass me, they offer stares of curiosity but none say a word. The last pulls the door shut behind him, leaving only me and Hardin.

"What's this?" He asks, raising his eyebrow as he stands from his chair.

Glancing over at him, I flash a smile. "My apology for earlier?" I offer hopefully.

Hardin tuts at me as he rounds his desk, approaching me quickly. I say nothing as he takes the tray from my hands.

"It was a misunderstanding, you weren't aware of the effect it has on mated wolves." Hardin says with calmness that immediately has me staring at him.

"How do you know that?" I curiously ask, following him to his desk as he gestures for me to sit down.

I thought he'd sit on the other side, but instead he arranges the two chairs closer to the desk and half facing each other. We sit down, and I immediately feel comfortable with him, noticing how his eyes barely leave me.

"I assumed." He shrugs. "This smells delicious by the way, did you make it?"

I give a small smile, proud that he isn't turning down my cooking skills.

"I did, you are hungry right?" I ask, setting the plates on the desk and handing him his knife and fork.

"Starving, you should have told me, I'd of helped you." Hardin says with a slight frown.

"Maybe next time." I say with a slight grin, taking a bite of food whilst watching Hardins face as he does the same.

The slight widening of his eyes, his small glance towards me tells me everything. He's surprised by the flavour, the texture, the sheer deliciousness from a few ingredients.

"You're welcome." I murmur smugly, smiling as we eat, sparing him the occasional glance only to find him already eyeballing me.

Somehow this small, simple interaction makes me feel...important, like this is a step forwards in whatever dysfunctional relationship we have.

*

"No! Are you serious?" I gasp, gobsmacked.

Hardin nods, his neck flushing faintly with embarrassment. I found it hilarious, his raw humiliation as he tells me the one time that he literally shit himself. I'd be embarrassed to even tell the story, but I have to admit it is amusing.

"Sick fuck put laxative in my birthday cake." Hardin grumbles.

Immediately I burst out laughing, the image of Hardin, and everyone at his birthday party running around ready to shit them selves, is definitely worth such a reaction. In my pack no one dared to step out of line, and even though Hardins pack is stronger, and definitely more lethal, they're still family. They're normal.

Hardin deep chuckle echoes, and I force myself to calm down despite almost choking on my laughter. The big bad alpha, forced to run and squat in the bushes.

"What about you? I'm sure you have at least one story." Hardin says with a smile, such a rare sight that I take a moment to soak it up.

I didn't miss the way he never blinked as I laughed, I've grown to notice a lot recently, especially with him.

"I don't, but, I really want to hear more from you." I say with a grin, not pressing on the subject of my stories as it's really not a light topic.

"I'm here for the good and bad." Hardin says, staring at me, hoping with everything he has that I'll believe him.

Reaching over, I take his rough large hand with both of mine, and flash a half smile.

"I know, I just feel like my story didn't really begin until you arrived at my parents house. I mean, it's been crazy since then, I've experienced more of life within the first day of meeting you than I ever have." I say softly, not wanting him to feel bad for me.

"If you think life in crazy now, just you wait until Christmas." Hardin winks at me.

I suppose it's so make a joke of some sort, but I didn't get it.

"What's Christmas?" I quiz, tilting my head in utter confusion.